Europe:

IEC 62368 will be replacing IEC 60950 and IEC 60065. The IEC 62368-1 standard, which is primarily performance-based, has evolved as a result of the convergence of technologies and product constructions associated with Audio/Video, Information Technology and Communications Technology Equipment.

IEC 62368 (Part of TC108)

Underwriters Laboratories (UL) released A New Safety Standard for High Tech Products, a white paper on International Electrotechnical Commission (IEC) 62368-1, which addresses safety requirements for audio/video, information technology and communications equipment.

UL said the standard employs a new form of safety testing, hazard-based safety engineering (HBSE), which evaluates hazards that can be transferred to end-users and how technology products safeguard against these potential dangers.

HBSE enables engineers to integrate safety compliance early in the product design cycle, said UL.

The group said IEC 62368-1 meets the following objectives:

A single standard for a range of products, leading to the design and manufacture of safe products.

Technology-neutral and stable, enabling the introduction of new technology to the marketplace.